Small, unpretentious Japanese spot with a classic menu of sushi, udon & teriyaki. Based on 489 reviews, the restaurant has received a rating of 4.3 stars. Price $$
✔️ Dine-in ✔️ Takeout ✔️ No delivery
Address:
33 E 3rd Ave #4010, San Mateo, CA 94401
Phone: (650) 343-1152
Website: http://www.hotaru-restaurant.com/
Social Profile: 
Hours
| Friday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Saturday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Sunday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Monday
(Labor Day)
|
11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8 PM
Hours might differ
|
| Tuesday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Wednesday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
| Thursday | 11:30 AM–2 PM, 5:30–8 PM |
Menu
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Menu Photos
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Reviews
Melinda Ng
Had a great dining experience at Hotaru. They had a great variety of dinner sets to choose from so everyone could try a number of things they enjoy for a pretty good price! The service was also very speedy once we were seated down. The food was delicious and the portions are quite big! I very much enjoyed the salmon sashimi. The restaurant is very cozy and there was a bit of a wait, I can see it being a lot busier over weekends so I suggest getting here early and putting your name down.
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Popaul Chen
Coming here for more than 20 years, one of my childhood memory. the portion of the foods is definitely generous, the combination is interesting and fulfilling, and serving foods is super fast. If you don’t know what to choose from, the no2 bento box style will give you the taste of Hotaru. After Covid, the quality and value of the foods goes down a little bit, but the menu value standing tall compare to a lot of new comer restaurants. Like a Vietnamese pho will cost around $15 in my area. If I still live in San Mateo, I will choose this restaurant over the other value inflated restaurants in a heart beat. Thank you Hotaru, pls hang around longer.
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Kalwant Sandhu
Its been there for ages. Food was good. And the Bento box was enough for 2 folks.
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Pearl Kruss
Small, friendly restaurant in San Mateo. Ordered the bento. Very pleasing presentation. Food was tasty. Quiet, no music which is wonderful. You can actually enjoy the food and conversation. Thank u to the staff
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Wei-Ai Tai
This is our go-to sushi restaurant in San Mateo. The quality is always solid, and we have known Hiroshi for almost 20 years now. Large menu with many non-sushi items as well. Local tip: plenty of parking in the garage behind the restaurant, so don’t need to try to find parking on 3rd Avenue!!
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Mio EN
Fantastic Japanese restaurant. Excellent music atmosphere. Definitely will visit again
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naa1
I really don’t know how this restaurant got an average of four and a half stars. I am sorry, but I give it two stars because the food hands down is mediocre. The place is too small. Three stars for the service and above average servings. Better Japanese restaurants out there.
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Dharma M
Great restaurant. I usually have bento box
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Ross Sit
My boys like to come here if we are in San Mateo for sushi. It’s an older place but has steady customers. Parking can be a challenge. Service is good and quick. Did pictures getting a bit pricey now.. It is everywhere though.
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Justin Kuo
We ordered the CHIRASHI regular and the sashimi are super flavor-able. The service is pretty good and we will revisit the restaurant.
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